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Content archived on 2024-05-30

Simulating Brains: Cognition Grounded in the Simulation of Sensorimotor Processes in the Human Neocortex

Objective

Grounded (embodied) cognition theory proposes that cognition is grounded in processing of sensorimotor information. The main proposal for how this information grounds cognition is mental simulation. This process has been suggested to depend primarily on hierarchically-organized, convergence-divergence zones in association cortex. However, no direct neural tests of mental simulation or this mechanism have been done. This project will test crucial timing predictions. By this account, processing proceeds sequentially from unimodal areas in one modality through multimodal association areas and then out to other unimodal areas. To test this, the project aims to determine how and when processing sensorimotor features in the human brain affects the cortical dynamics as they unfold over time for visual object cognition. The researcher’s multi-state interactive account of the cortical dynamics for visual object cognition predicts the timing and location of effects. Such precise predictions allow the most powerful conclusions from neuroscience data. High-density, event-related potentials have the time precision needed. Functional magnetic resonance imaging, which has higher spatial precision, helps localize effects. Transcranial magnetic stimulation disrupts perceptual or motor processing briefly to test the causal role. To integrate human and non-linguistic animal data in future computational models, studies focus on objects (i.e. not words) in the visual modality that dominates in humans. This project will for the first time reveal how, when, and how much processing modal features (color, motion, shape, size, orientation, and actions) affects the temporal dynamics of cortical processes supporting visual object cognition and the causal role of such sensorimotor processing. Such findings will test key timing predictions of the proposed cortical mechanism of how mental simulation grounds cognition in sensorimotor processing and determine how, when, and how much cognition is grounded.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.

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Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

FP7-PEOPLE-2011-CIG
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Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

MC-CIG - Support for training and career development of researcher (CIG)

Coordinator

UNIVERSITY OF PLYMOUTH
EU contribution
€ 100 000,00
Address
DRAKE CIRCUS
PL4 8AA Plymouth
United Kingdom

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Region
South West (England) Devon Plymouth
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

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